Sitting on the coast, the port of Turkmenbashi is rocky and not ideal for swimming, however, the nearby seaside town and beach of Awaza is one of the most popular holiday spots in the country. Marking the end of the Caucasus and the gateway to Turkmenistan, Turkmenbashi and the Balkan province of which it is an important administrative center have a more Russian feel than the rest of the country. The Russian Orthodox church is a good example as well as the memorials commemorating those who died during World War II, while the city was still Krasnovodsk. Older local history can be discovered, however, at the Regional Lore Museum.
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Less than seven miles from Turkmenbashi city center is the seaside resort town of Awaza. This popular is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike who flood to the beach every summer to relax and enjoy some leisure time in the waters and in the high quality hotels overlooking the ocean.
During WWII, thousands of Japanese POWs spent years in what was then Krasnovodsk, building the roads that now connect the city with the rest of the country. The graveyard and its monument commemorate those who died while imprisoned.
Get a feel for the west of Turkmenistan in the quaint old building that houses the Regional History Museum. It’s packed with facts, stories and exhibits unique to the Balkan area, including maps, traditional clothing and authentic housing; as such, it’s a great way to acclimatize to the local way of life and history.
Due to the history of Russian rule, major cities in Turkmenistan usually have at least one Russian Orthodox church, and Turkmenbashi is no exception. Elaborately decorated and well-preserved, the church is set back from the seafront, built into what was the city’s fortress walls.
Near the railway station, on the seaward-facing side of the cultural palace, stands a memorial commemorating the Turkmenistani soldiers killed in World War II. The memorial features a statue of Atamurat Niyazov, President Niyazov's father, at whose feet burns a constant flame.
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This tour around the mysterious Central Asian country of Turkmenistan offers you the best of what this fascinating country has to offer: glistening mausoleums, ancient fortress remains, desolate deserts and majestic mountains, all wrapped up into an unforgettable eight-day adventure.
Charlak Hotel is a modern four-star hotel, popular with business guests and travelers making their way through the Turkmenbashi region of Turkmenistan. Meaning ‘seagull’ in local dialect (a reference to the nearby Caspian Sea), Charlak Hotel features a refreshing blue and white theme throughout, with generous helpings of glass and marble found across the lobby, dining venues and range of 80 guestrooms. All rooms feature en-suite bathrooms with large bathtubs, telephones, satellite TV, writing desk, a fully-stocked mini-bar, a safe, and each comes with its own private balcony overlooking the sea or city. As well as high-standard rooms, the hotel also features an all-day restaurant, bar, disco, gym, swimming pool, fitness room, tennis court, billiard room, gift shop and currency exchange office.
This comfortable three-star hotel presents an ideal stop-off for guests travelling to this historic city next to the Caspian Sea. Built in 2001, this was the first luxury hotel to open in the region. Each of the 90 guestrooms at the Turkmenbashy Hotel come with a whole host of modern conveniences that one would expect with any quality hotel, including ultra-comfy beds, satellite television and air conditioning as standard. Guests have two different outdoor swimming pools and one indoor to choose from, and the hotel also boasts its own restaurant, bar, fitness room, sauna, disco, gift shop, billiards room, beauty salon and massage room. The towering structure has an impressive design from the outside, and is set against a stunning backdrop with mountains in the background and the Caspian Sea just in front of the hotel’s entrance.
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